Thread 46: Stories 31-45

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Deep in the dark underbelly of the Crystal Palace 18 wanders aimlessly.

Tears dot the path behind her and streak down her face as she panics.

She is overwhelmed by fear. She feels like a prisoner staring at a clock, counting the seconds to her own execution.

She can’t run, she can’t hide. She can’t pretend to be Cadance anymore. He’ll know in a second!

Out of options and quickly running out of time, the only thing that comes to mind is to cry.

She’s been at it for hours, walking the dark depths of the Palace’s maintenance level, searching her mind for something, for ANYTHING.

Pacing in the darkness she trips and falls, a resounding ‘clunk’ filling the room.

>WHO THE FUCK PUT A PILLAR HERE?

Laying on the ground is a large iron pillar. It is studded with crystal reinforcements and glows faintly with magical wards and enchantments. Must be one of the old Earthquake struts they’re replacing.

Applejack 18 wasn’t thinking clearly. She wasn’t acting rationally.

This massive hunk of iron had wronged her, and it was going to pay.

>FUCK YOU, PILLAR!

She ran towards it and punched with all her might, a large dent forming in the corroded iron surface. She shook her hoof in pain.

>FUCK! FAUSTDAMNIT!

A new wave of tears ran down her face, negative emotions amplified by the pain in her hoof. Her horn illuminated the long room with a sinister green glow, casting an elongated shadow of herself.

Her face was replaced with a mask of pure emotion. Anger, jealousy, hatred, injustice, they all burned through and mixed into a cruel grimace.

A haunting wail filled the caverns as 18 screamed, unable to accept her life. Unwilling to go back to the way things were.

All her anger, all her love, all her hate, she pushed it waaaay down into the pit of her stomach. A white hot ball of energy formed deep within her, burning in her soul.. She gathered it all and let it pour forth from her horn, striking the pillar’s dull iron surface.

The room echoed with a variety of noises:
-The dull ring of magic striking metal
-The rhythmic pulsing of her horn
-The anguished wail of someone who had lost everything
-The gentle patter of tears falling onto stone

In that moment, she saw that pillar as her enemy. It was everything wrong with the world.

It was neglect.
It was paperwork.
It was responsibility
It was loneliness.
It was the death of her childhood dreams.

She hated it more than anything.

Time had no meaning down here.

There was nothing but 18, her emotions and that damnable pillar.

She didn’t know how long she poured her energy into that metal hunk.

Eventually her tears stopped. Her vision tunneled and she felt faint. Her magic flickered and failed. She was out of options.

18 collapsed in front of a pile of molten slag, radiating heat into the air around her.

It was time to face the cold hard truth.

She had to own up to Shining Armor. Tell him what she had done.

It was that or kill herself, an option that looked all too enticing. A real way out. She’d never have to feel like this again...

But she couldn’t… It would destroy him.

Resigned to her fate 18 struggled up the stairs to the main floor and limped to the kitchen. Her hooves were impossibly heavy, weighed down with the guilt of her actions.

Shining Armor was in the kitchen cooking dinner.

She wanted more than anything to kiss him one more time.

But the time for that was over. In two seconds he’d look back, spot her huge flank and know what she did.

Desperately searching for words 18 stood in the doorway, mouth agape.

“Hey Cadance.”

Overcome with surprise, with relief, with confusion, with desperation, with hope, 18 fell to the ground and began to cry.

>Shiiii-hiiii-hiiiii-neeeee…

Shining Armor rushed over and tended to her prone form.

“Oh Cadance, are you okay!? Did something happen?!”

Thinking quick 18 grasped at reasons to be upset, desperate to maintain her cover.

>One-one-one-of-the-girls-at-the-spa-was-meeeeean! She-said-my-hair-wasn’t-prettyyyyy!

“Cadance, you’re beautiful”

18 continues to cry.

“And your hair is beautiful!”

18 suppressed her tears.

>Y-you think so? Really?

“Of course I do. Don’t let other ponies words get you down, dear. They’re just jealous.”

>Yeah! My hair’s not resplendent at all!

“...”

“Sweetie?”

>Yes Shiny?

“Resplendent is a good word. She was saying your hair was nice.”

>Oh…

18 revs up the waterworks again.

>I’m sorry for being silly Shiny, I’m not good with words sometimes…

“I love you just the way you are, Cadance.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>32
"High Roller"
'77'
-Steam Gauge-
~Quicksilver Sash~
[Vekir]
{Lucky Strikes}
(Coco)

>Ungh...anyone get the number on that hay cart?

"Oh holy shit you're awake again."

>What...is happening to me?

"Hell if I know man, one minute your hale and hearty, next you're at death's door. I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out what we could've done over the weekend to cause this but I'm stumped, are you sure-"

>Yes I'm sure your confounded alcohol had nothing to do with this!

"Damn, well then I'm stumped."

'Perhaps you should let more qualified minds handle this.'

High Roller turns to find 77 with two guards standing behind him with chains.

"Oh hey, you did it?"

'Yes, Princess Sparkle has agreed to a thorough medical examination. You, myself, and Privates Gauge and Sash are to escort him to her lab.'

>Are the chains...really necessary?

'My apologies, but it's precaution.'

-Because somebody here is kind of a master of sneak attacks.-

~Don't worry, we picked a route without any bricks.~

>Oh right...that was a thing.

"Alright, let's get them on you."

>Wait...there aren't any Morlocks wandering around out there are there?

-Way ahead of you.-

=========

[Wheeeeee-]

{Y'know when they said 'take her on a nature walk', this isn't what I had in mind.}

[-eeeeeeeeeee-]

(Should...should we help her?)

[-eeeeeeeeee-]

{She seems to have this.}

[-eeeee! You shall make the greatest of mounts, oh mighty crocogator made of stone!]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"??"
~~~

To say Shining Armor was having 'a bit of a rough week' would be underselling it.

Between trying, ineffectually, to get an airforce off the ground, the various political problems that he's been facing recently, and of course the recent reemergence of 'you-know-who', complete with her normal baggage of 'city stomping', his week had not been great.

Even better, with 18 helping out with the Wonderbolts, guess who had to do the morning paperwork she normally handled, in addition to his normal workload? Just guess. It had to be done by noon, and of course she couldn't be in two places at once, so he had to take that up on himself. How she managed this without going completely nutters, he would never know.

But of course, all of this was mostly small potatoes next to the real problem. When his wife had come in with a nightmare, he had been thrown for a loop. He's known for a while she's been having them, obviously, but this was the first time she had ever been open about them and spoke with him. They're getting worse, it seems, and clearly there was nothing much he could do on the matter. This, naturally, drove him up a wall. He hated not being able to protect her. His entire life was about protecting things. That was what he did.

That was his thing.

And he could not do his thing.

Altogether, he could not have been feeling worse right now. This headache he was nursing threatened to break forth at any moment, springing from his forehead like a demented creature from tartarus itself. More than anything in the world, he just hoped everyone left him alone, let him finish this work, and hopefully get a break in, he needed it terribly. His one relief, his single comfort, is that it probably couldn't-

SLAM!

A part of him knew he brought that on himself.

“Shiny.”

There was a cocky, almost powerful tone in her voice, smoothly dolled out like silk, yet a hint of danger remained present beneath it.

Wearily, he groaned loudly, and slammed his head down on the desk. This did nothing for his massive, massive migraine.

>Please go away. I really, really, really cannot deal with this shit right now.

The room went silent, much to his surprise. No “HAH!” followed by some sort of flippant comment, no words of offense, no nothing. This was more than a little unsettling. It was with great trepidation that he peered upwards, ever so slightly, towards her.

What he saw, to put it as mildly as he possibly could, worried him.

A strange expression had replaced her cocky, regal one. Instead of her normal, toothy smirk, her lips had turned downward, a single fang visible at the corner of her lips. Her eyes seemed... off. Unfocused, like she couldn't even see him right now. A scroll next to her hung just a bit limp in the air, the flame magic holding it aloft flickering slightly as it threatened to puff out of existence. She looked... deflated. The only word he could think of to describe it, really. Well, that...

And maybe just a little 'hurt'.

>Ah... sorry. I've been having a bad week. Just... bad week. Didn't mean to snap at you like that.

Her eyes fluttered rapidly for a second, as if her mind had just caught up to the present moment after being lost into the throes of time. Her magic stumbled for a second before it returned, bright as ever, and her expression, while not back to normal, slipped much more into the more comforting look of pride she normally held.

>But I am kind of busy, so-

He could see her start to slip back into that same look, and quickly threw up a hoof.

>Alright, alright, sorry. Did you need something?

Back to her normal self once again, she none-too-subtly cleared her throat.

“I have this list of requests.”

>Oh? Why not go to 18? She'll be able to handle it just as-

“No. You.”

He expected her to continue, more than a little weirded out by her forceful and direct tone, and just a bit worried when she did not, and instead simply floated the list over to him. Curious, he unrolled the bottom, and looked at the very first item.

That migraine was coming back already.

>Chrysalis, I'm going to need you to promise me, promise me that this is not something dumb, because the first thing I'm seeing is poker chips-

“It's not!”

She had clearly tried to hide the desperation and hint of anger, he could tell that much. She failed, but she had tried.

>...Okay, trusting you on that one.

Had he not been looking at just the right angle at just the right moment, he would have totally missed the tiny little shake in her hoof.

Curious, he unraveled it all, eyes trailing over the list of item after item, eyes growing wider and wider with each one listed.

>So... when I said “Are your guys doing okay”, and you said they didn't mind sleeping on the floor-

She let out a flippant scoff, turning her head to the side.

“They didn't. They're just jealous because that new guy has a sleeping bag, so all of them wanted one, and then apparently it just spun out into “I want I want I want”. Bah, they're lucky I'm gracious enough to even entertain this idea.”

He blinked owlishly, his tired mind not sure he heard her right.

>New guy? As in, someone is living with your changelings?... Willingly?

“Pfft, yeah. That one guard that likes Jugglejack.”

>And he's... living with them?

“Yeah. But he brought his own sleeping bag and now everyone has to have one, you know how it is.”

>And you're... okay with this?

“I said it was fine if the rest of the ballroom was okay with it, yes.”

He blinked.
Looked down at the list.
Looked back up.
Blinked again.
Poked himself in the side of the face.
Looked back down.
Poked his own eye.
And finally looked back up.

>...42? Is that you?

She gained her own look of confusion, briefly, before it bled away to a slightly more offended one.

>Just saying. But that aside... well, I can't deny all of this would qualify for any refugee assistance, but why didn't you go see Applejack first-

Her face did not move. Not a twitch, not a flicker, not even a hint of anything, but he knew. After all these months of living with her, he knew. He knew it right in his very heart of hearts.

He should not have asked that.

“I did.”

Of course, he wanted to question her. These were all perfectly reasonable, in fact, these were all things the changelings probably should have been handed on day 1. Even prisoners get a cot and a blanket, after all. The princess often said she wished Chrysalis would take a more active roll, at that. Well, here it is, a perfectly organized list with needs for her subjects, and presented to the one who can make it happen. Applejack turning her down seemed wrong...

But he knew she wasn't lying. He wasn't perfect at seeing when she was lying, but the truth here was as plain as day. She had asked.

And the results had pissed her off something terrible.

Still...

His lips pursed slightly as he went down the list. This was a rather sudden, big expense...

“I'll understand it if you can't afford it.”

It's true, he had just sent out a pretty big assistance for Fillydelphia not a couple days ago. His budget was already a bit on the tight side, to put it mildly. Another expenditure like this would cause some problems.

A lot of problems.

>...I'll figure it out.

He had said that more to himself than her, he realized. The determination was just as much to tell himself he could pull it off as it was to assure her. All the same, the look on her face was indescribable. A mixture of attempted hidden joy and, well, something else he had never seen on her that he just could put his hoof on.

“Thanks.”

It was curt, simple, to the point.

And yet...

>Was that all you needed? I can get started right away if it is.

She seemed thoughtful for a second, mind whirring with what she wanted to do next. She could just go tell everyone the good news, or...

“So... bad week?”

The sudden shift of topic was offputting, to say the least, but nonetheless he nodded in affirmative.

“Want to... talk about it?”

He just barely, just BARELY kept his jaw from dropping open in a stunned gape.

>Uh... well, getting my airforce finally in action has been a hassle.

“Uh huh?”

>...And that's not even getting into this freaking paperwork.

“Right...”

>...And you know what else sucks? The letters. I swear if one more pony, gryphon or DRAGON sends me a letter asking to be let into my harem, I am going to eat my own hoof. And oh, OHHHH the freaking bills proposed by some of my subjects. Really, how is 'crystal polish' supposed to be a non-taxable item? I don't care if you want your house to look shiny, it costs money! AND ANOTHER THING-

And then he just started talking. He didn't know why he did it, but he just started rambling off about mis-filed forms, political idiots, how much of a hassle Chitania's attack has been, Two's teacher endlessly complaining about this or that, that crick in his neck that just would not go away, everything. It all just poured out before he realized it. Just weeks upon weeks of backlogged problems he kept to himself, just so nobody else knew it was bothering him. He didn't tell everything, still kept his promise not to mention any of his wife's nightmare, but aside from that? Open game. He let it all out, and, well.

It felt good.

All the while, to his amazement, she kept quiet. Just a single word here, or a single word there. No injections, no snide remarks, no nothing. Just listened.

It was only much, much, later that he finally ran out of things to rant about, and after the third time repeating himself drew it to a close.

After that, Chrysalis gave nothing more than a single word of goodbye, slammed his door open, and left, saying something about dinner or something or other.

Alone, the stallion couldn't help but admit he felt... better. Quite a lot better.

>...Well, in hindsight, I probably just prevented three ulcers... minimum.

With that, he metaphorically rolled up his sleeves, and diligently got to work figuring out just how he was going to swing these expenses.

And yet, while he was feeling lighter than he had in weeks, the other was feeling... not quite as much.

Chrysalis paused before she went through the portal, leaning on the wall in the room that contained it. The start of the conversation just kept playing in her mind. That moment when it looked like she would be dismissed yet again, when she would be treated as if she were an annoyance, a nothing who did little but get in the way.

She remembered the rage starting to boil.
She remembered the taste in her mouth growing foul.
She remembered the sting in her brow.
She remembered... that fire building up in her head.

She had almost cast her magic right there.

She had been so, so close to casting her mind control once more, just so she didn't have to deal with someone ranting in her face. She had been mere seconds away from taking total control. But she had stopped. It had died as soon as it started, gone without a trace.

And it hurt.

She couldn't explain it, but the thought, the only thing that had kept her in check, was that it hurt. How? She didn't know. She just knew, vague as it was, that it hurt. It still hurt, and she still could not explain where, or why it hurt. This was her power, what good is it if it can never be used? What's the point of even having it, if not to help her subjects? And this would have helped, surely?

But she didn't. She couldn't do it to him.

Not to him.

And it still hurt.

“What the hell is wrong with me...”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next several days were a wonderful blur.

She spent time with her loving husband and adorable daughter. They would laugh and talk and share stories and live a perfect life together. She went to sleep with them at her side, knowing they would be there for her when she woke up. It was true comfort.

She would go to the spa to get hooficures and massages and have her mane styled. To keep up appearances, she told herself. She didn’t -enjoy- being pampered and waited on and turned into a glowing example of beauty, oh no. She took no pleasure at all in looking fabulous and sparkly. She purely tolerated it to maintain her cover, nothing more. Yep.

She did public appearances as Cadance, opening a new animal shelter, where poor critters too injured to live on their own could be nursed back to health and adopted as pets. She pet little kittens and gave treats to puppies and even gave a bath to a baby otter. All the while she was surrounded by an adoring public, taking pictures and watching their Princess with innocence and joy.

She went to a cancer ward and visited all the sick children. She read them stories (She even did the voices!), posed for pictures and took some of them on Princess-back rides, galloping through the halls with glee. She basked in ambient love as doctors, nurses and family members saw the happiness Cadance brought to all her subjects, how much she cared about every single pony in her Empire.

She opened a new health clinic, funded by a trade surplus to provide free health care for all citizens. She had spent many long hours getting the paperwork for this facility in order, she did it in another lifetime. It was satisfying to know ponies would be helped, but it was nothing like this. The delight she saw in her people, knowing they would be provided for and looked after by their caring regent… It was overwhelming and she cried happy tears for the first time in her life.

She went to Two’s class and taught the little children how to make paper snowflakes. The surprised looks on the children’s faces when they unfolded the clipped papers were priceless, the shock and happiness was absolutely unforgettable. She would remember them fondly until her dying breath.

Each of these glorious days was punctuated with a simple process. She just had to go back down to the basement and reduce a thousand ton iron pillar into a mangled puddle of white hot sludge. A small price to pay to maintain this lifestyle, to keep this feeling going.

Deep down she knew that two weeks wouldn’t last forever. That one day soon Cadance would return from Trottingham.

But she didn’t care. She was too busy being alive.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Fleetfoot
"42"
~~~

>I HATE THIS! SO! MUCH!

"Look, I'm just trying to teach you BASIC hoof to hoof combat, that's all! The basics!"

>AIR! FORCE! I do not fight hoof to hoof! If I am fighting hoof to hoof, the whole situation is irrevocably fucked anyway!

"Which is why you need basic training to un-fuck it."

>YOU CAN'T UN-FUCK SOMETHING! When it is fucked, it is FUCKED end of story!

"Well, okay, but the simili doesn't work because in this scenario the fucking is in progress, you can stop further fucking is the point."

>You don't understand, if I get to this point I am on the ground and not fleeing, at this level of fucking there is no hope of escape. I would literally spend the rest of this fucking looking for ways to run than trying to get even more physical during the fucking and piss off the one doing said fucking!

"That's very defeatist. What, you're just going to lie back and take it?"

>Better than getting really reamed by a pissed off someone who can ground one of Equestria's best fliers and keep her down there!

"I'd rather keep fighting, personally."

>GOOD FOR YOU!

"...."

>...

"..."

>...What the fuck were we talking about?

"I... I don't even know anymore."

>Can we just not do the punchy thing?

"Well, I would, but you see-"

Green magic suddenly grabbed Fleetfoot's wings.

"I need to show you what it's like to be fucked, just so you have future reference."

>...What, like your Queen did to Shining-NOTINTHEFACE-

WHAM!

"Don't you tell me how to live."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subconsciously something bothered 18. She felt as if she were forgetting something…

She walked over to Shining Armor’s calendar and checked his appointments. The entire day was crossed off, and he had written in ‘fun outing between good friends.’

18’s heart twinged unpleasantly. That is exactly what he wrote.

SHIT! 55!

18 quickly scrawled a note, something about buying pink bottles for the perfume store, placed it on the bed and resumed her changeling form.

She was emaciated and frail, her chitin was loose and shifted uncomfortably, her eyes dull and cheeks sunken.

She fwooshed that all away, back to looking ‘normal’, and quickly trot down to her office.

Opening the door a crack, careful to avoid any potential surges of flame, she checked up on her replacement.

>You alright in there, 55?

‘AAAAAAHHHHHH’

55 dashes around the cramped office, dodging paper tentacles as they lash out at him. One wraps around his hoof and begins to pull, he blasts it into ash with concentrated fire and resumes the fight.

>Meh, I’m sure he’ll be fine.

She closes the door with a soft ‘click’ and waits for Shining Armor to show up for their dat- fun outing between good friends.

A few minutes pass in relative silence. 18 does her best to look casual.

Shining Armor walks through the halls and warmly greets 18.

“Hey there! I haven’t seen you in forever!”

She sees a pale imitation of his true self. It’s almost disappointing how muted his feelings are. They’re familiar, no doubt, it’s the exact same greeting she used to expect, that OLD 18 used to expect. He still gave off warmth and love and kindness, but it’s like he was very very far away. He wasn’t, of course, he was standing right there, fifteen paces if that…

Before posing as Cadance she had never known the intensity he could show… But now she knew better, she knew his true strength… And that he didn’t display it to her…

It made her very very sad.

>Hi Shining Armor. I've been busy. You?

“Always. Not too busy to spend a day with my friend though! I’m really glad you took a break, you work hard and I missed spending time with you”

>I missed you too, Shiny.

18 walks up and tries to kiss him. Shining Armor raises and turns his muzzle. 18 lands a chaste kiss on his cheek.

Flushed with embarrassment she tries to salvage the situation.

>I-It’s how they say hello in Neightaly! They kiss on the cheek.

“Really? That’s neat. Never been.”

>Me either…
For a moment they stand around awkwardly, 18 trying to ‘act natural’.

>Did you have anything planned today?

“Want to see a movie? Maybe walk through the park?”

>That sounds lovely.

Walking through the halls towards the Palace Entrance in silence, a faint “AAAAAAHHH” pierces the air.

“Did you hear something?”

>Nope! Let’s get going!

Note to self, improve soundproofing along the southern wall.

---

At the theater 18 and Shining Armor stand outside the box office, discussing films. They both speak out at once.

>Oh! There’s the new Fancee Movie, ‘l'amour dans la pluie - Love in the Rain’. Doesn't that sound romantic?

“Oh! The new Sword Mare is out! Sword Mare IV- Granok’s Revenge! It’s supposed to have even more action!”

…

18 looks to the ground for a moment, thinking what to do.

>We can see Sword Mare if you want to. You’ll probably want to see Love in the Rain with Cadance anyway, no sense watching it twice.

Shining Armor looks back to her, noting her sheepish stance.

“You sure? I know you like foreign films, this is as much my day as it is yours, 18. I want us to have fun together.”

18 looks around the theater lobby. She spies a half dozen couples standing together, sharing drinks, laughing with one another, engaging in deep knowing looks…. Why can’t she have that?

She looks to Shining Armor, admiring the Sword Mare poster, seemingly oblivious to her hints...

>Yeah… Love in the Rain probably isn't a “fun outing between good friends.” kind of movie anyway…

“You’re the best, 18.”

>I’ll get some snacks.

With an internal sigh 18 left Shining Armor’s side and walked to the concessions counter

---

In the darkness of the theater 18 finds Shiny sitting down, a seat saved next to him.

>I bought popcorn, gummi bears and some Fizzy-pop. Your favourite.

“Thanks! What do I owe ya for the tickets and snacks?”

That hurt her. Trying to split the bill already? All she could do was try to awkwardly laugh it off.

>Nothing, silly! I’m just glad to get out of that office.

He floated over the drink and almost took a sip.

“Just one straw? Let me go grab another, one sec.”

>Oh, hehehh! Silly me, I forgot to grab a second.

“No problem 18, the previews haven’t even started yet, I’ll be right back”

She slumped down into her seat, dejected…

She hadn’t forgotten.

She hadn’t forgotten at all.

Why was it such a big deal to him?

Why was it such a big deal to HER?

---

18 exaggeratedly jumped at the actiony parts, sniffled at the emotional parts, clutched his hoof tight at the scary parts. None of them got to her, it was B movie action shlock, but she played the part well.

He didn’t respond to any of it. No reassuring pokes, no comforting nudges, no squeezes of her hoof… This entire experience was one big let-down…

---

“Oh man, when Sword Mare fought those three Rock-Men? I never thought the writers would remember her training with the monks, but they did! And the Moose Lee cameo? Blew my MIND!

>I know, right? I was like WHAAAAT

She wasn’t like ‘WHAAAT”. Not at all. She had approved Moose Lee’s temporary passport 5 months ago and signed the filming permit to let them use a nearby mountain for the monastery scene. But she relished in her beloved’s excitement and enthusiasm all the same.

>What do you want to do now?

“The weather’s nice today. Want to walk through the park?

>Sure, that sounds nice..

---

The park was beautiful. The afternoon sun shone its warm rays gently upon them, the clouds floated by without a care in the world, the birds chirped and the grass rustled in the slightest breeze.

Freshly bloomed flowers dotted every pathway, sprinkled every bush. The sweet perfume of nature flowed around them in an exquisite embrace.

Beside them and behind them and in front of them and all around, on every side, there were happy couples. She pretended not to notice as Shining Armor talked about Two. Stories she had heard before as Cadance, but she couldn’t hint at that. She feigned interest and reacted as if the stories were new, maintaining her cover.

Falling in step beside Shining Armor she slowly closed distance.

They talked for a while, 18 moving a hair closer every step. Eventually they came upon a particularly gorgeous flowerbed and she made her move. 18 closed the gap and leaned into Shining Armor, sighing happily.

He did not reciprocate. He stood there, no tension, no distress, no resistance to her advance. He ‘tolerated’ her gentle lean against him.

Her heart sunk at his lack of reaction. It was almost worse than outright rejection.

Maybe the conversation is too light?

Guiding them off the beaten path, 18 took lead and they walked to the edge of a pond.

18 gingerly dipped her hooves in and giggled at the cold, encouraging Shining Armor to join her.

He obliged and they lay next to one another on the grassy edge.

Taking charge of the conversation she changed gears, moving from family to personal history. She talked about her childhood, and asked about his in turn. This conversation was much more intimate, discussing hopes and dreams and young loves and fears long put to rest. She basked as he opened up to her again and she felt his aura grow in brightness and intensity. Love flowed off of him in waves as he recounted a story about a soccer game when he was a colt.

18 nearly teared up at her success, getting him to open up to her. To the REAL her. Being able to feel this emotion directed at Applejack 18 the changeling, not Applejack 18 disguised as Cadance, was a major relief.

But as soon as he realized what he was doing he quickly reined in his emotion, a shadow cast over the burning inferno of his love and it was reduced back to a warm glow.

It was 18’s turn to talk. She talked about her childhood, what there was of it anyway, her training as an infiltrator, her missions and victories securing her hive’s safety…

She wasn’t proud of it, not necessarily. She had to do damage and interrupt activities and sometimes hurt ponies… She felt repentant of this now, but at the time it was normal, it was her life. She hadn’t been raised to know better.

He understood her, really and truly.

And for that, she was glad.

---

Every time Shining Armor became lost in a particularly pleasant memory,18 had gotten to see another glimpse of him with his guard down, they were glorious to behold. When he came back to reality he always reduced back to that same dull glow of love radiating off him…

She wanted him to daydream forever, to cuddle into his love and warmth and affection and build a house there. To live forever in that pure undiluted emotion.

But that wasn’t for her. That was for Cadance. She had half a mind to end the “outing between good friends” early to go back to being Cadance, to have unrestricted access to that light and joy again…

---

After another hour at the pond, sharing feelings and dreams and stories and laughter they decided it was about time they grabbed something to eat.

> Japaneighs? Fancee? Neightalian?

“Neightalian sounds nice”

They walked in silence to the commercial district, content to enjoy one another’s company, busy processing the information and stories they had each revealed to the other.

They sat down at an outdoor table at a quiet bistro.

>What looks good to you?

“Hard to tell. All of it, really. What do you like?

>I don’t really know. I know I like what you cook. I like your pancakes, but I don’t see “Shining Armor’s Pancakes” on here.

He let out a polite chuckle.

>I don’t really have too much experience with pony food. Order for me?

“Can do. Waiter, a plate of clover-wrapped asparagus with two glasses of ‘94 Chirac to start, then two plates of alfalfa and hay balls and two glasses of Cabernet de Canterlot ‘87”

>I had no idea you liked wine.

“I used to have a bit of a collection going, until Chrysalis found it anyway. Had quite the wine-cellar. I think I was up to 3,500 bottles at my peak.”

18 raises her eyebrows, intrigued.

“I don’t get the chance to enjoy it much anymore, what with running the Empire and raising Two. I don’t want to set a bad example, after all. Besides, I’d be surprised if I could scrounge together 40 bottles if I searched the Palace top to bottom. And with my luck they’d all be Vin de Cauginon!

He let out a barking laugh. She chuckled, unsure at exactly what was funny.

The night went on and their meals came and went. A glass each with the appetizer, another with the main course. Then followed some tiramisu and another glass, to complement it of course. Then a glass of dessert wine.

And then a bottle for the road.

---

Walking towards the Crystal Palace, 18 leaned heavily on Shining Armor for support. The road out here sure was uneven. She’d have maintenance look at in the morning.

Shining Armor’s face was flushed and he didn’t seem to mind being used as a crutch.

They cut through a small side-street thinking it was a shortcut. A few dozen paces in 18 stopped in her tracks.

Shining Armor slowed down to look back. The streets were completely vacant except for them. Their only company was darkness, silence, a cool breeze and an endless blanket of stars painted across the night sky.

She had stopped beneath a street light, standing in a circle of illumination, blackness on all sides. 18 hoofed at the ground with trepidation

“Something on your mind, 18?”

>Shining armor…

Her voice quaked and wavered with barely contained emotion.

>Do you love me?

“I love a lot of things about you, 18.

>You didn’t answer the question. Do you love me?

“You’re smart and strong and hard workin-”

>Do. You. Love. Me?

“You’re a really great person 18 an-”

She practically shrieked.

>DO YOU LOVE ME?!

He stood for a moment, shocked into silence.

It was all the answer she needed.

>WHY? WHY NOT?!

“I do love you 18, you should know that by now.”

>WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME LIKE YOU LOVE HER!?

She started to cry, the streets completely empty except for the prince and the changeling.

>I CAN BE LIKE HER! I CAN BE MORE, BETTER! I CAN DO ANYTHING SHE CAN!

“No, you can’t, and that’s okay! You’re different people!

>NO! NO WE’RE NOT! WE DON’T HAVE TO BE! I-I-I can cook, and clean, and do forms, and RUN A KINGDOM. I can do ALL that and more! I can be everything you want me to be!

“18, please…”

>I’M BETTER THAN SHE IS, WHY DOES SHE GET YOU ALL TO HER SEE-HEE-HEEELLLLLF!

18 fell to the ground and began to openly weep. Mind hazy and muddled by alcohol she decided to argue her case.

In a flash of green fire she transformed into Cadance, a perfect copy.

>SEE?! I’M JUST LIKE HER! I CAN BE YOUR CADANCE!

Shocked at her transformation into a perfect Cadance Shining Armor stands silently, taking everything in.

>I CAN OPEN ANIMAL SHELTERS AND VISIT SICK FOALS WITH CANCER AND OPEN CLINICS AND GET MY HOOVES SHINED AND MY MANE DONE AND GO TO THE PERFUME STORE! I CAN DO EVERYTHING SHE DOES! IF YOU JUST LET ME… If you just… Just let me…

>please

Shining Armor took in the sight before him, torn between confusion, rage, horror and a thousand other things. Every emotion he knew flooded through him.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE!?!”

Shining Armor roared with intensity, his great love turning to great anger.

“I-IS SHE HURT? WORSE? DID YOU TAKE HER MIND? EIGHTEEN, WHY?”

Choking sobs wracked through him and he fell to the ground screaming.

“WHYYY?!”

He shook 18 violently, she felt his anger. The rage flowed off him in white-hot waves, they burned the air around her and she shied away, protecting herself from his fury.

>She-she’s ok, I promise! I would never hurt her… P-please believe me!

>I would never hurt YOU. I love you, Shining Armor! I love you more than I ever thought possible.

His wrath was stayed by the information that Cadance was safe, his anger began to fade but his intensity remained.

“Explain yourself, 18. Now.”

She lay there in the circle of yellow light cast around her, sobbing and shaking with fear and regret…

>I love you, Shining Armor.

“THAT’S NOT AN EXPLANATION!”

>YES! YES IT IS!

>it is for me…

>It’s the only one I have…

>I-I work so HARD. I work to keep the empire happy and healthy and running smoothly! And for what? I do it for YOU, Shining Armor! I pour all my time, all my effort, all my love and sweat and tears and BLOOD into this empire! Every second in that room, every form signed, every drop of ink and scratch of a quill…

>I do it for you…

>Because I love you...

>And I want you to love me...

Her speech devolves into open sobbing, her brain out of explanations to give.

In a mix of emotional exhaustion and inebriation 18 drops her disguise. The light in her eyes dims, her cheeks sink, her chitin loosens, her stomach grips back against her spine and her limbs wither into fragile bony protrusions.

She weeps, rolling gently in the spotlight.

Her dim eyes lock with his and he looks at her gaunt face.

>I felt the love you feel for her, the way you say good morning, how you light up when she kisses you…

>I thought I knew what love was, but I didn’t. Not compared to that. It was so bright, so pure… The days we spent together were the happiest of my life...

>I didn’t want to go back to being ‘appreciated’... I wanted more… Why can’t I have it?

“18… I we’ve been over this…”

“I’m married. That’s the only explanation I can give you.”

>B-but… You claim to love me, how? How can you use the same word for the way you feel about me and the way you feel about her?

“I… I don’t want to lead you on, 18. I can’t betray my wife. I made a promise to her, one that’s going to last forever…”

>So that’s it? That’s what it boils down to? She was there first? She has ‘DIBS’?!

He sat on the ground beside her and cradled her head in his hooves. The pure intensity of his love, the love he shows for Cadance, began to shine through.

“I control my emotions,I control -myself-, because I can’t stand the thought of betraying my wife… I can picture a life with you, 18. I stay some up nights thinking about it, about you… About us. I even have names for our kids! The oldest, a boy, is named Crossbar, after my grandfather... Then we have a daughter, you get to pick the name but I always liked Plecia if we go with the bug theme, and we can’t go with something too crazy or else Two might not be able to say it!”

Shining Armor looks forlorn and stops speaking…

“... But a promise is a promise.”

“In another world, there is another Shining Armor cradling Cadance’s head tonight, telling her the same thing. “

“I can’t leave her for you…”

“But had we met first? In that other world where we’re married... I wouldn’t leave you for her either…”

Silent tears stream down his face as he holds here, the warmth of their love for one another keeping the cold of the night away.

He holds her close until she falls asleep. They lay together on the sidewalk for hours, she looks so fragile, so delicate, so weak, he is content to watch her rest, to ensure she is safe. Eventually the alcohol and hour get to him and he falls asleep, holding 18 tight against his chest.

Dawn begins to rise over the Empire and they wake up on the sidewalk, holding one another close for warmth. An intimate embrace following their profound evening together. It was not what she imagined, it was not what she hoped, but looking back she was glad it happened.

Stirring awake she turned to Shining Armor and stared deeply into him. He looked back into her dim, sunken eyes.

He allowed himself , just once, to feel with the full intensity he was capable of and say the words he held deep in his heart.

“Good morning Eighteen. I love you.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exhausted, emotionally drained and starving, 18 and Shining Armor limp into the Palace, each leaning on the other for support.

Slowly they walk through the halls in a comfortable silence.

“Breakfast?”

>Pancakes?

“With extra love. You look like you could use it.”

>You’re the best!

Shining Armor smiles as they round the corner into the kitchen.

18 collapses into a chair.

A few minutes later a steaming mug of coffee is pushed towards her, the #1 Infiltrator picture on the cup bringing a smile to her lips.

>Do we tell Cadance what happened?

“She’s my wife, I have to be honest with her.”

>Can I break the news to her? She might go easier on me if I’m the one that brings it up.

“Sure, but I’ll be listening to make sure you don’t leave anything out.”

>Fair enough.

Before long they’re both sitting at the table, across from one another, drinking coffee, eating fluffy syrup-laden pancakes and smiling like old times.

Breaking the comfortable silence, Shining Armor asks with as little awkwardness as possible.

“18? Why do you look like you’re a stiff breeze from keeling over dead?”

>Hmm? Oh, that. Because I am.

Shining Armor spit a mouthful of coffee onto the kitchen table.
“!!!”

18 fwooshed her Changeling form disguise back on.

>Not right this second, the love last night should plump me up a little once I have time to process it, but…

She told him everything, how she had nearly worked herself to death, how he mistook her for Cadance and brought her to their bed, how she discovered her weakness and vulnerability… And exploited it to keep her flank small and keep him deceived. A sharp spike of guilt ran through her gut as she told the story.

She went on to explain how much she wanted to feel the love Shining Armor felt for Cadance that she began to purge the magic from her system, staying severely malnourished and on death’s door just to spend another day at his side.

She told the story with a certain lightness, trying to inject humor into it.

>No, really, you should check it out! I melted thousand ton iron pillars into white-hot slag! It’s awesome, they’re still downstairs!

His face drooped and he felt horrified that she went to such lengths, put herself in such GRAVE harm, just to keep him fooled.

“Do-... Do you regret any of it?”

>I’m probably going to regret getting 55 to cover for me. Finding out which forms he burned and getting them resubmitted is going to take forever!

His face went deadpan.

“You don’t feel bad about nearly DYING? Multiple times?”

>I did it for love, Shiny. I’d do it again.

“WHAT?! You’d risk your life? AGAIN? That’s crazy 18! Don’t do that! Ever!”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you. Promise me.”

>Anything for you, Shiny. I promise I’ll never starve myself to death to disguise myself as your wife. AGAIN. Happy?

“Not exactly…”

Sighing and having barely touched his pancakes he became ponderous.

>You gonna eat those?

Shining Armor pushed his stack of pancakes towards 18. She needed them more right now. He thought and reflected on everything she had told him, and honestly it was disturbing…

Cadance. REAL Cadance walked into the room, breaking his train of thought.

-Shiny! I’m home from the love emergency in Trottingham!-

>Hi Cadance!

18 said, mouth full of pancake.

Slowly Shining Armor stood from his seat and he gave his wife a welcome-home hug.

Returning to his seat, Cadance stood in the doorway confused.

-Aren’t you going to ask how my trip was?-

“Cadance, sit down. 18 has something she needs to say to you”.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-YOU WHAT?!-

Cadance shouted, magically amplified voice shaking every window in the Palace.

-HOW COULD YOU? I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!?-

She paced the room, stomping in frustration. Her alicorn strength leaving small craters in the smooth stone floors.

>I-it’s hard to explain! Everything happened and I kinda made it up as I went along...

-We take you in, give you a home to live in, a bed to sleep in, and this is how you repay me? By taking my place and trying to sleep with my husband? YOU JERK!-

18 grew indignant.

>Oh, it’s gratitude you want? I work my ASS off for you, for this whole Empire, and I’m supposed to be glad I have a BED? A BED I don’t even sleep in BECAUSE MOST NIGHTS I DON’T HAVE TIME TO SLEEP! But noooo, I slave away on forms DAY in and DAY out and should be thankful that I have a bed. Thank you Cadance! Thank you for letting me own a 14 bit cot propped up in my office! You are ever so gracious!

-Don’t you use that tone with me, HOMEWRECKER!-

>And I never, NEVER, tried to sleep with your husband! I could have! One word and he would be on me like gasoline on 55, but I have restraint! I know he’s haunted by Chrysalis deception! I love him and would NEVER put him through that!

-Love? You love him? You think that’s what people in love do, replace their spouses?! LIE TO THEM?!-

>No.

18 drops her disguise magic, revealing her true, emaciated form.

>This is what people in love do. They work and work and work without stopping. They toil for hours and days and WEEKS without so much as a break!

>They push themselves so hard they come -this- close to dropping dead at their FAUSTDAMN DESK!

>And WHY? THEY DO IT TO MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY! Because they would take all the responsibility, all the pain, all the work, all the stress and anger and hate IN THE WHOLE WORLD just to see their beloved smile!

>THAT’S WHAT LOVE IS!

Cadance stops in her tracks, wordlessly staring at 18’s hollow white eyes.

She flops to the ground and begins to cry…

Crying does not do it justice, she weeps, she moans, she bawls and howls and sobs and every word she can think of.

For a long time she lays on the ground, making a variety of sad, pathetic noises.

She collects herself enough to squeak out.

-Midnight Crimson…-

“What?”

-Midnight Crimson…. I’ve never even seen anypony under Dreary Violet...-

-A-a-are you okay?-

>No, but I will be.

-18…. What happened to you?-

18 walks to Cadance and lowers her forehead against hers. Their horns touching.

>Let me show you.

With a burst of green magic they both collapse limply, lying together on the floor.

------

Cadance sees images from the past few months.

Stack upon stack of papers. Droning tedium and endless stress. She watches as 18 gives her all every single day with no thanks or payment, seeing no reward or end result beyond ‘continued stability in the Empire’.

She feels 18’s sorrow when Cadance and Shining Armor walk by. Her loneliness pierces Cadance’s heart like an arrow. The sun rises, the sun sets, alarms go off, and nothing changes. 18 continues to toil endlessly, a burning need deep in her heart.

Cadance can barely stomach the feeling of sorrow and desperation 18 holds deep inside.

She watches the events go by.

Cadance sees 18 break down outside the portal, carried by Shining Armor to bed.

She feels her pure elation in the morning, waking up next to her heart’s desire…

She watches the continued overexertion and 18’s injury, the graveness of the situation coming to light as she sees first hoof how close 18 came to dying from blood loss.. She sees her hobble off, determined to live, determined to keep going. She watches 18 push well past the point where her love reserves should fail, where she should fall dead, a drained husk, but perseveres anyway. For the Empire. For her beloved.

She sees the deception. She does not approve but she *understands*… If Cadance lived every day with such darkness in her heart, such empty turmoil in her soul, she would do whatever it took to feel normal...

Cadance watches 18 conspire to send her away, as 18 replaces herself with a double to avoid suspicion.

Cadance can feel 18’s heart at the zoo, the overwhelming joy brings tears to her eyes.

She can feel 18’s immeasurable sorrow as she wanders the basement, convinced she will never be able to feel happy again.

The whole experience is a roller coaster of emotion, soaring to fantastical highs and plummeting to unfathomable lows….

As she watches 18 break down screaming under a street light, she has only one thought in her head…

She can't help but voice it the moment their connection is complete and she regains consciousness.

---

-It…. It’s my fault… All of this…-

-It could have been prevented...-

Cadance looks over to 18, her eyes shimmering on the brink of tears.

-I’m so sorry! I didn’t know 18, I swear!-

Tears flow freely down Cadance’s face, staining her coat a dark pink.

-I thought it was just some playful crush, that in time you’d get over it and move on… Or worse, that it was all a lie to steal his love for your hive… But it’s not! It’s real and it’s true it’s beautiful and you mean every word you say to him!-

18 hugs Cadance close, supporting her after the emotional turmoil she had just endured. Months of desperation and loneliness and suffering condensed down into a few minutes…

>I was wrong Cadance…. It just hurts so much when I see you together… I wanted it to be me more than anything. The second I had my chance I took it, even though you’re my friend. I should never have sent you off on that fake emergency, I should never have tried to replace you...

>Can you ever forgive me?

-Of course I forgive you, 18! But I’m not the one you wronged, it’s not my forgiveness you need.-

>Shining Armor? How can I ever make up for what I’ve done?

“After all the good you’ve done for The Empire… After all you’ve done for me? I’m pretty sure I still owe you.”

“C’mere you two”

He spreads his forehooves wide and beckons both crying mares into a hug.,

>What happens now?

-Now? Now I have to admit something that’s been due for a long long time. I’m selfish. I WAS selfish.-

-And my selfish actions caused you a lot of pain, 18. I don’t know if I can ever make up for that, but I can try…-

-Shining Armor?-

“Yes, Cadance?”

-As Princess of Love I have officially reconsidered my stance. It has allowed selfishness and suffering to spread among myself and those I hold dear. I kept you to myself and in doing so, hindered a brilliant connection and stifled the progress of true love. I cannot in good conscience maintain it.-

-You are free to increase the size of our family to include Applejack 18, if you so wish. Her love for you is pure and deep, and I know you feel the same way, even though you try to hide it.-

-She would be a wonderful addition to our happy little family. It’s funny, I was sent across the continent to tend to a fake love emergency, but I never thought that the real love emergency was right under my nose, in my very own home.-

Shining Armor and 18 look at eachother, their hearts stopped.

Cadance feels Shining Armor release a massive wave of ambient love, the second brightest of his life, outshined only by their moment together at the altar when he said “I do.”

“Are you sure?”

>Y-you mean?

Cadance smiles warmly at them as 18’s Midnight Crimson begins to shine ever so faintly. There is hope for her after all.

-Yes.-

18 almost literally explodes in joy, dancing on the table and squealing in girlish glee.

>Ohmigosh I have so much to do! I need to pick bridesmaids and get a dress and pick a date and get a cake and-!

-Not so fast! I gave him the option, that’s all! He’s not a bushel of apples at a market for me to sell off on a whim! He’s a grown adult that makes his own decisions. Nothing is happening unless he says so.-

Shining Armor looks up to 18 standing on the table. Breathlessly he clears his throat.

“Applejack 18?”

>Y-yes Shining Armor?

She is literally vibrating with excitement.

“I need to ask you something. Something very important.”

Shining Armor gets on one knee, and takes one of her hooves in his.

A dreamy gaze washes over 18 and she blushes madly.

>What is it?

“Will you-”

>YES-YES-OH-FAUST-YES-I-ABSOLUTELY-WILL!

“-give me my pancakes back? I’m very hungry.”

All the color drains from 18’s face as her expression goes blank.

>wat

Cadance falls down laughing, helplessly flailing her hooves in the air.

Shining Armor takes a big bite of pancakes and chuckles with his mouth full.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shining Armor and Cadance are alone in their bedroom, catching eachother up on recent events. Shining talking about 18 and Two, Cadance telling stories about Trottingham.

“Wait, so if there was no emergency what did you even DO over there?”

-The guard said there was an emergency! I wasn’t 100% sure so I just started fixing things. Casting love spells, I did some marriage counseling, I wrote ponies anonymous love letters to cheer them up, I hosted some speed-dating, it was really fun actually.-

“I’m glad.”

Shining Armor pauses for a moment, unsure how to ask.

“Cadance?”

-Yes honey-

“You’re the leading expert on Love Magic… What’s Midnight Crimson mean?”

-It’s… It’s a very bad Sparklejoule rating. Not the lowest, the lowest theoretical rating is Midnight Black, but it’s never been observed. Midnight Black is the physical, mental and emotional inability to feel or give love in any capacity. A mind, a body, a soul, too clouded by bitterness and apathy and darkness to ever allow light or good or joy inside of them.-

-It’s all theoretical, but any creature that read Black Midnight would immediately kill themselves, seeing no point in life whatsoever.-

“Wow…”

-That’s not Eighteen though! She was Midnight Crimson. It… It’s the worst Sparklejoule rating I’ve ever personally seen, probably not the worst ever though. Her anger and sadness and loneliness have been growing, reducing her heart’s ability to give and receive love… With any other changeling it’s likely she would starve to death, even with 24 hour a day contact.-

“Will she be okay?”

-She should be. She’s brightened up a smidgen. With any luck it’s not permanent and her optimism and lust for life will return.-

He sat for a moment in silence.

“Does this mean you’re going to mind meld with Chrysalis too? See if her love is true and her intentions pure? Let her marry me?

-No. It’ll take more than that.-

-Eighteen…. Eighteen is a special case. When I was in her mind I could see her feelings. She wasn’t always Midnight Crimson, and with luck she won’t be for much longer. But just a few months ago Eighteen was a Crystal Aqua, a decent mid-range level.-

-For her to fall so far, so fast… When she showed her memories, her isolation and desperation and loneliness were incredible... The negative emotion choking the life and love from her very soul…-

-She was losing her lust for discovery, her sense of wonder, her ability to laugh, the very capacity to be happy.-

-Celestia and Chrysalis, they both continue to live full happy lives.-

-For Eighteen I could only see it ending in one of two ways…-

-Her marriage to you, or her death.-

“WHAT!?”

-Don’t be afraid, she’s getting better.-

“If I don’t marry 18 she’ll DIE?! Get a minister, quick! WHERE’S 18?!”

-Sshhhh, calm down sweetie, everything’s alright-

Cadance strokes his mane, trying to calm his nerves.

-Like I said, she’s turning around, her aura a little brighter every minute. Ever since you told her how you really feel… It’s like she’s a whole new changeling.-

-The choice is entirely yours to make. If you don’t propose, she will still be fine. The emotional catharsis from this whole ordeal is still setting in. She has a lot of information to process and a lot of healing to do.-

-I love you, Shining Armor, but I understand that you have so much to give. With all 18’s done, how much she cares for you, and for me…. She has so much sadness, but she showed such great restraint. She didn’t hurt me or seduce you, or use mind magic… She could have, but she didn’t because she cares in her own twisted Midnight Crimson way. I don’t think I’m going to regret this.-

“This is a lot to take in… I need some time to think.”

-Of course, dear. Talk to me again if you have more questions, okay?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18 stands outside of her office, struggling to pull the door open. Her emotions soared high as the sun, but deep down she knew that paperwork waits for no-one. Besides, she could use the time to process exactly what has happened these last few days.

‘No! NO! Don’t let it out! It’ll be the end of everything!’

>C’mon 55, I have to get back to work, open the door!

‘I set the self destruct sequence, I’m takin’ this sucker with me! AAAAAHHHH!

The pressure holding the door shut vanishes and 18 opens the door.

55 is being held upside down by a paper monstrosity, a tentacle dangling him over its gaping maw. He has a dynamite bandolier strapped around his midsection and is holding a lit lighter.

‘LET HIM EAT ME 18! I’ll take the bastard down from within!’

18 sighs and floats the dynamite off of 55, placing it into the hallway.

‘What? You're on his side?! What a cruel twist of events!’

18 uses a magic field to open her drawer and draws a dozen quills simultaneously. She floats them around the monstrosity as it drops 55 into its gaping maw and begins to chew.

She signs in a dozen places simultaneously, and key forms fall to the floor, completed. After a few surgical signatures the abomination begins to fall apart. Within 10 seconds it collapses into a motionless pile of forms and scrolls.

55 bursts from the center of the pile, gasping for air. He flies over to 18.

‘Mission status sir?’

>Mission complete, great job 55.

‘Thank you sir!’

He hits himself in the face in a movement vaguely resembling a salute.

>Dismissed.

He begins to trot to the window.

>55? Thanks.

‘Any time 18. It was kinda fun at parts. Scary, but fun.’

Eighteen tosses 55 a heavy bag from one of her desk drawers, it jingles as he catches it.

>If there’s anything you need, just let me know. I owe you.

‘Okay. Can I go? I miss my Magic Shack.’

>Sure. Thanks again 55.

55 opens the window and hops out, bag of bits jingling as he makes the long journey home.

18 sits in her familiar chair at her familiar desk.

But today feels different.

Today she feels hopeful, like there’s a future worth seeing.
With a smile on her face she begins writing out requisitions for departments to re-send every form and letter they have sent in the last month, citing administrative difficulties.

It would take a long time, and would be a lot of work, but she had a stallion and an empire worth doing it for.

THE END

WRITER NOTES

I put a lot of myself into this story. 18 is my favourite changeling by far, but she doesn’t get enough love. A ton of time went by where the only stories were her doing paperwork, nothing else. It was her gig. I relate to her a bit because my job is very paperwork -centric and I had been doing a bunch of 12 hour days back to back when I decided to start writing. It was silly, but I enjoyed relating to her.

It took me about 2 months to write the whole sub arc, the first 15 stories took about 7 of those weeks. Parts of the story focus so intently on hope and outlook because I just recently began treatment for a 6 year depression. I’m starting to feel good again, and put some of my bad past and poor outlook into the story along with hope for a better future. I have energy and drive after so long without it and I inserted parts of my own emotional journey (overwork, isolation, loneliness, depression, all leading to change and energy and hope for a brighter tomorrow), I really did my best to get this arc into shape.

So if it got too melancholy or dramatic or overdone I apologize, but I felt good enough to write for the first time in forever. (The last thing I wrote was the Tournament arc. Yes, that one. The one in Thread 4. Why yes, that was over 40 threads ago!)

So I may have put too much of myself and my own journey into this story, if it comes off as bad as a result I apologize.

I do however, STRONGLY request this all remain canon. To have it declared non-canon… I would just rather that didn’t happen. I put in a lot of time and effort and hope I did well enough job that we can consider these events to have transpired.

As for moving the story, I’m not trying to start a Harem ending, I’m not really sure 42 and Chrysalis should be in (as this point anyway), they don’t really show the same drive, the same insurmountable love for Shining Armor that 18 does… At this point I don’t think they’ve earned it.

People may be against Shining Armor marrying 18, or think I pulled it from my butt… You’re free to think that, there is so much material to process that we’re all going to analyze it in different ways, we read the same stories but they effect us all differently.

I left it open ended incase there is a MASSIVE negative reaction. Shining Armor and 18 are currently not married, they are not engaged. He simply has permission to propose to 18. He has not done so yet.

And I will not write it. One person shouldn’t have that much control in these threads, it’s not fair for me to force my autistic headcanon pairing on everyone just because I want it to happen.

I will not make Shining Armor propose. I will not write their wedding.

If the thread sees fit, those are up for grabs for whomever, whenever.

And if you decide they should not happen, then they won’t. 18’s Sparklejoules are recovering, she will NOT die if she remains unwed.

I can understand if people don't approve of this change, there is some history of Cadance admitting she wants to keep Shining Armor for herself. In my mind the emotional experience of seeing 18's mind, seeing how hard she worked and how she nearly died for Shining Armor and the Empire... It made her rethink the stance for 18 specifically. Chrysalis, Celestia, 42, etc... They haven't shown the same commitment and dedication that 18 has.

I know this is a long running theme with over 40 threads behind it, but it could open up some great new areas to explore. Like back when Shining Armor and Cadance had a sexless marriage. It was a good theme and we got a lot of use out of it, but in the end it had to go to make way for progress. I hope you can look at this the same way.

Hopefully you folks can overlook small issues I missed and minor logical inconsistencies. There are some parts and lines that were pretty out of character, but 18 was basically crazy for a large part of the story, so keep that in mind. I also flanderized Cadance a bit, her mental level varied between 11 year old who only wants to eat candy and normal Cadance, but I mostly played that for laughs(hopefully it worked).


If anyone has any feedback, criticism, discussion, questions, inconsistencies, concerns etc… Please let me know, I’ll gladly discuss anything about the story.

Thank you for reading.
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>Jetset
"???"
'???'
_______

He sighed as a hue of lukewarm silver magic covered his horn.

>...I'm going to regret this. I know I am.

Brrrring!

>...

Brrrrring!

>...

Brrrin-

"H-hello?"

The voice that answered sounded reluctant, almost scared, and for a second Jetset wondered if he'd dialed the wrong number.

But no, he'd double and triple-checked it.

This was her.

>Um... this is, er... I- well, I'm only calling because I, uh...

Even though the line was silent, Jetset could hear their silent confusion towards his ramblings. Sighing, he cleared his throat, firming his spine and standing upright.

>This is Jetset of Canterlot, sworn agent to the land and shadow of the Queen of Equestria. I'm calling becau-

"EEEEEEEEEEE! You called! Youcalledyoucalledyoucalledyoucalled-"

After the initial squeal, Jet's hearing temporarily left him.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after a-

"I knew today was going to be a good day when I woke up! Nobody had drawn over my box, my food was still there and then! Then, the one phone call I get today? It's you!"

Another excited noise.

Jetset's mind spun at the sound. He was confused. Why in the world was him calling such a good thing?

>Listen, I'm only calling because... because I....

"Yes? Only calling becaaaause what?"

Yeah, why was he calling...?

>I... the way you tied my headwrap was rather shoddy, I'll have you know. It kept slipping on the second day and even now it's barely doing the job like it should.

Silence.

For a moment, as he stood there starting to sweat, he almost thought she'd hung up on him.

Until he heard that snort. Followed by a chorus of laughter straight from the heart.

"HAHAHAHAHA what?! You- pfffffft! You're STILL wearing your head wrap?"

He blinked.

>Am I? Of course I am. I suffered a cranial concussion and had to have it dressed. No one said to take it off yet so I didn't.

He didn't think it possible for any one pony to laugh so hard. Each round of laughter punctuated with a snort as she struggled to reign it back in.

"O-oh my sweet Celestia, hahaha... hooo boy, I just- wow! You're a silly colt, you know that, right?"

His tail whipped about indignantly. Silly colt? Now that was just uncalled for.

>I neither silly or a colt.

"Yes you are."

He could almost see her smiling.

"It's been over a month, Jetty. You can most definitely take off your headwrap now."

>Are you sure?

"Hey, I may not be a nurse anymore- actually, I may not be anything anymore- but I still know what I'm talking about, honey."

>Oh... Well then, uh... very good, I'll do just that.

She didn't respond with words, only a very patient, very caring sigh.

>And uh, I suppose that's all I needed... I think. Yeah, um... if any further maladies arise I'll be sure to give you a call then.

"Oh really?"

A giggle.

"So does that make me like something of a personal nurse to the shadow of the Queen of Equestria?"

>I- well, I d-don't know if it means- certainly not with an interview at the very least! I... I think....

"Excellent! Looks like I have a job interview then! The moment I can scrounge up a train ticket I'll come up and hand in my resume! Until then, don't hesitate to call, babe! Really, for anything, doesn't even have to medically related!"

>What? Wait, wait, I didn't mean for-

Click!

>...

While he stood there, staring ahead rather blankly, another figure came up on his side, staring in the same direction yet with a shit-eating grin.

'So. Just now realizing you can take off those ratty bandages, eh?'

>Bastard. You knew all this time, didn't you?

'Naturally, but it was so much fun watching you walk around like a stupid mummy.'

>...Still haven't gotten all those feathers off yet, I see.

'Yeah, your Queen got really elaborate with her last trap....'

Thoughts dwelling on that strange mare and what her situation might be, Jetset started walking.

>Trust me, you haven't seen elaborate yet.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>56
'Luna'
"??"
~~~

>Mmmm... ya' know, moons? It just don't get no better than this. Nice snuggles, great company, neat food-

'Which thou will not stop tempting us with.'

>-and just a beautiful day all around! Yep. This. Is. The. LIFE!

'We suppose it is fortunate your school is closed today for... demon fumigation, I think you said?'

>Yep! Yep yep yep! Fumigatin' for the demons and we get today off. Off today. Totally, totally off-

SLAM!

"THOU DAMNED LITTLE ABSCONDING GREMLIN! YOUR FLIGHT SHALL BE BEREFT THIS MOMENT!"

The smaller changeling decided now was a good time to hide behind Luna's shapely rear.

"MINE SIGHT HAS ALREADY TOUCHED THINE POKEY LITTLE FRAME!

>ACK! I mean... C-cuuuuzzzz! H-h-heeyyyy! W... what're you doing here? Way up here? In Canterlot?

'And why does thou slam our door!? Doth you have no regard for the royal possessions!?'

>No yeah, totally moons, he's being a jerk, you gotta kick him out. Of Canterlot. Way, way out of- NO NO NO!

The prissy changeling stomped up to him, grabbing hold of the scruff of his neck.

"If I am to be cast out then I drag thee with me, little decamping one!"

'Decamping?'

"Do not worry thineself with the definition, it takes a cultured mind to-OW! THOSE SILVER SHOE THINGS HURT!... What are those called?"

'Worry not thine lower self with the words of our regal attire-'

"HRMPH!"

'For we know the meaning of thines words, but do not see how it relates to the little one. He is let out from school, not fleeing from it.'

>...

'...Right?'

>Uh... I uh...

"This unholy broodling's teacher informed me today that he had skipped out on his lessons!"

>Awww, come on, Cuz! Be a pal! I mean, I've been working to the bone at flight school, I deserve a day off, don't I?

"HRPMH! Then I shall cease paying your tuition on that place with flights of fancy, if it is so brutal to your ability to be educated! You will hear no complaints from me, thine schooling is expensive!"

>NO NO NO NO NO NOT A PROBLEM NOT A PROBLEM!

"Then learn thousself to handle both or be left with but one! And that one shalt be the land with a teacher who knows more than 'wings go flap!'"

>Hey! They teach awesome stuff there!

"NEVERMIND! Princess libido-killer, Thou art bid ADIEU!"

'Thou knows we only did that because it was thous greatest nightmare, right? At least in regard to fornication.'

"LANGUAGE!"

>Forniwhosaywhatnow?

"Nevermind... So, wait... 56? Will you step outside for a-"

'Please do not embarrass thineself, we have gained but a smidgen of respect that thou would come clear to Canterlot to ensure the little ones proper education, we will lose it fast if thou even tries thine witless attempts.'

"..."

'...'

"...I shall accept the win, for I have so few in my life."

'A wise choice.'

>Wait... ARE YOU HITTING ON MOONS!? NO! BAD! FOUL! NO NO NO CUZ! YOU PROMISED! IT'S NOT FAIR! I DON'T TRY TO SNUGGLE ZEBRABUTT OR MAYORBUTT!

"I AM NOT HITTING ON ANYONE I AM TAKING YOU BACK!"

>Phew!... Don't do that royal-chasy stuff with moons, cuz, I'll bite you.

'Charming?'

>So, now that that's all settled, just set me down and-

"YOU ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!"

>NOOO! I DUN WANNA GO BACK! I WANNA STAY WITH MOONS AND SNUGGLE HER MOONS!

He clung to every door frame as he was dragged out, ripping chunks of walling out as he did so.

>REMEMBER ME, MOONS! REMEMBER MEEEEEEEE!... SEE YOU TOMORROW, I REALLY DO HAVE THAT OFF! IT'S A WEEKEND!

'We shall see you then.'

>KAY!... Can we get icecream on the way back?

"THOU HAVE OFFENDED ME AND MINE DIGNITY!"

>Just say 'you're in trouble'.

"YOU ARE IN TROUBLE!"

>...Nah, liked the other way. So, Ice cream?

"NO!"

>...

"...Maybe just a candybar."

>...

"...And a drink."

>AWESOME!

"THOU ART BEING PUNISHED!"

>Whatever you say, cuz!

"...I am not a good sibling figure..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Fluttershy
"Maud"
'Mane-Iac'
~~

>This is unnecessary. The fighting? This superhero fight? Very unnecessary.

'AHHHAHAHAH! LIES! ALL FIGHTS ARE NECESSARY, SADDLE RAGER!'

"Fluttershy."

'Who?'

"Her name is Fluttershy."

'Who's is?'

"Hers."

'Saddle Rager?'

"Her name is Fluttershy."

'GASP! I HAVE FOUND HER SECRET IDENTITY!'

>Maud? Just... just don't. It's like a brick wall.

"No, she is a pony with living hair. That is nothing like brick. I know this, I have studied bricks immensely."

>That's not... nevermind.

"I will mind it. It is wrong."

'HUSH AND SUMMON MORE CREATURES!... Which is very Un-Saddle-Rager of you, by the way. Are you feeling okay? Are you changing your gimmick? I liked your old gimmick, don't do that.'

>I don't want to fight like this.

'NONSENSE! BUGTORIA asked that I BURN your excess POOOOWWWWEERRRRR... So we're doing that!'

"...I want to try too."

'AHHHHAHAHAHAHAH! STONESMASHER AND THE MAAAAAANE-IAC! THE PERFECT TEAM!'

>Oh dear.

"...I want a mask."

'AHHHAHAHAHHAH!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>55
"???"
'???'
~~~

He loved flying.

He knew this was a silly thing to like, really. Lots of things could fly. Other changelings, pegasi, gryphons, dragon, elephants if his that thing Applejack said about his Queen is true, lots of things, but he loved it.

Maybe it was because he never flew without his fire anymore, he thought. He loved how his fire flickered and wavered in the air, like it was alive, like it was a friend holding onto him as he went for a ride. He liked that.

Or maybe it was because he got to see the whole big world some more, without hiding. He could finally just go without pretending to be a pegasus anymore, and didn't have to worry about his Queen getting mad at him. He liked that.

Hmmm... no, not that, he realized. He knew what he liked about flying, he knew why he loved it.

'LOOK! UP THERE!'

'It's him!'

'He's back!'

He liked it because it meant he was going to see someone. Everytime he took off, he was going somewhere. He got to see them.

Didn't matter who they were, really. He got to see them.

And that was amazing.

>HI!

He landed in front of the massive, clearly very old building, just outside of the high metal fence surrounding it. He had to land outside, or else he would burn the grass.

The grass...

>It came!

A deathly old, matronly earth pony trotted up to him, slow as a big rock moved in a sandstorm, but he waited. She would get here eventually.

"Yep. Fellers brought the seeds in coupl'a weeks ago. Popped up in a week jus' like they said. Kids've been havin' a ball, most ain't never even seen it."

>Neat!

Behind her, two dozen excited eyes poked around the corner, each tiny filly or colt attached practically standing on top of each other just for a chance to see, but mindful not to step beyond the gate. She would get mad if they did, he knew.

Her slow trot eventually came to a stop right before him, just out of reach of his fires.

"Did ya' come ta' see the new windows? They look nice."

>Naahhhh! Can't stay too long, gotta get back to my magic shack and see if anything happened while I was gone. But I got this!

The bag 18 had given him landed in front of her, the old mares eyes none too subtly going wide at the size of it.

"More bandits? Yer' cuts pretty big this time, how much did them fella's rob?"

>Nope! Nobody robbed nothing, sorry.

He knew apologizing for something like that was silly, but he had to. See, when he took out bandits or something and they had money, then he brought it to the sheriff. If the Sheriff couldn't find the owners, then the money went to the town, and they gave him some of it! He never knew what to do with it, or if it was a lot, so he mostly just came here, or that one farmer on the edge of Appleoosa, or that one miner who broke his leg, or-

"So, where'd ya' get it?"

>Oh! I had to engage in a very dangerous mission against a giant, living monster! I've been fighting it for DAYS! And at the end I got this. I told her it was fine, all in a days work! But you know the gratitude of citizens, it just can't be contained sometimes!

She nodded, idly shuffling though the bag.

"Well... I'd say. Talk about gratitude."

>Yeah, uh...

His smile faltered a bit.

>But uh... I kept some, hope that's okay. I've gotta, uh... buy something. I think it's enough.

She just barely managed not to roll her eyes.

"Thanks again. Can finally get the roof fixed and the playpen restocked, these kids are gonna have a good hearths warming eve, Ah' tell ya'."

>Cool! Well, I would like to stay and chat, citizen! But a heroes work is never done! AND AWAY I-

"Tell mah' granddaughter Ah' said hi."

He froze, still as a statue.

>NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN, OL' CHAP!'

"She likes Posies, iffin' ya' didn't know."

>GREAT!

"..."

>...I MEAN! Uh... W-whyyy would I need to know that!? Oh! Uh, maybe I can tell it to that nice changeling, eh? I think he likes her. Not me, though, I'm not like that other changeling guy, JUSTICE is who I love!

"Uh huh."

>...Posies, you said?

"Ah' did, and tell 'er-"

>OH MY IT'S JUSTICE O' CLOCK GOTTA GO!

He was gone in a second, a big red streak in the sky.

'AWWW!'

'I wanted to show him my picture!'

'Dang it, Granny, ya' scared him off!'

'Why ya' gotta be like that!?'

'FO SHIZZLE!'

She rolled her eyes at the dramatics, turning with the creak of old bones.

"He'll be back in a spell, ya' little varmits. He always comes back."

'OH! When he does, can we get more ice cream!?'

'THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!'

"We'll see. Now, git' yer' hides back ta' yer' chores."

'''''''AWWWWW!'''''

"NOW!"

She had to chuckle as they scurried off, off to do their chores before they got a whipping.

Alone, she paused at the large matal gate, looking into the estate before her. It wasn't that long ago it was nothing but brown, dusty ground, shingles falling off, windows broken, boards ripped out, wood rotted...

"That feller ain't got two whole bits o' sense in his head to rub together."

Now? Shoot, she could be confused for one of them fancy Canterlot folks. Nice grass that stretched all the way around, no more sharp rocks in the yard, no more chipped paint, all the windows shining and the beds all full, the food finally above 'cheap gruel', toys for the first time in forever...

"...But it's a cryin' shame there ain't more o' him out there..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NCOMAKE
>Chrysalis
"18"
~~

>WHAT THE FUCK!?

"You had to have seen this coming."

>THIS IS BULLSHIT I'VE BEEN AROUND WAY LONGER THAN YOU HAVE!

"Yeah, but I almost died for this."

>SO DID I!

"That doesn't count, you did that to literally become a god."

>I STILL KEPT SHINY SAFE!

"Not the same."

>BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIIIIIITTTT!
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